It seems my photos are not sharpen

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Nando

Nando

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Hi.

Bought a Nikon Z6 II with the kit lens 24-70 mm f4.
Camera works fine, auto focus works fine, manual focus work fine. On the EVF and screen photos seems focused.
When I zoom in, in the camera screen it does not seems very sharp. In Lightroom is the same thing, it seems the photo is not sharpen enough. I thought maybe is my computer screen, maybe it's my eyes.

When I see photos on Youtube that other photographers have taken they seem so sharp so I start to thing well, it doesn't seem to be my computer screen.

It's very confusing understanding this. Unfortunately I don't have any other lens to test or any other camera to test.
I did get a raw photo from another photographer that when I looked in Lightroom I do get also the sense that is not sharpen.

I just sent 3 of my photos to be printed so I can see how they look like, if they are indeed sharpen or not.

How have been your experience?
No idea if there might be something wrong with the lens but then again, the camera does indicate the image is focused when I have auto focus ON and it seems sharpen in the EVF.

Thank you,
Fernando
 
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Here is an example,

1drv.ms

FMS_0469.dng

DNG File
1drv.ms

Raw photo, 1/200 sec at f4, ISO 250. Was holding the camera by hand. Even when I use a tripod and switch off the vibration reduction I get the exact same behavior.

When I zoom in Lightroom at 100% the flower doesn't seem to be sharpen. I know I'm at f4 so depth of field is shallow but I think that the center of the flower should look 100% sharpen and it doesn't seem to be.

Like I said, maybe it's my computer screen, although when looking at photos on youtube and websites, photos seems super sharp, and mine do not look like that.

Thank you,
Fernando
 
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Looks like the camera focused in front of the subject, I'm guessing you focused on the flower. If you look closely the tip of the leaves are sharp. What focus mode and settings are you using? Was there a breeze when you took the photo. With that kind of depth of field it won't take much to throw it off, even the slightest movement.
 
I would suggest taking some of those raw files and opening in the raw converter software that came with your camera. Also try a few jpeg images by setting the camera to the highest quality jpeg settings. The reason I suggest this is Lightroom does not apply many settings automatically and it doesnt apply most of your in-camera settings, so images will look flat when you first open them in lightroom until you develop some of your own presets. By trying a jpeg you can see if the fault is the camera or you not using the camera or lightroom to its potential. A jpeg will apply the camera settings for sharpening, contast, etc. Lightroom does apply a little sharpening but its up to you to add more if needed. Same with all the other settings. Lightroom ignores most of what you set in your camera. The software that came with your camera will use your in camera settings.
 
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Nando said:
No, I have no filter.

Yes, focus was on the flower. There was no breeze that day.
I'm using single point AF mode. Been using only that mode for all photos.
For my cat I used auto area AF animals, focusing on the eye

Here are some more examples, https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmLQUUU_cHWcg_gnHLRYNqnSvmSz7Q?e=Ti6mOL
Click to expand...
Most of those images have at least some areas that are sharp - like a little slice of sharpness in each image. The depth of field is really shallow though - if you want to get the entire subject sharp, you may want to stop down a little.
 
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bleirer said:
I would suggest taking some of those raw files and opening in the raw converter software that came with your camera. Also try a few jpeg images by setting the camera to the highest quality jpeg settings. The reason I suggest this is Lightroom does not apply many settings automatically and it doesnt apply most of your in-camera settings, so images will look flat when you first open them in lightroom until you develop some of your own presets. By trying a jpeg you can see if the fault is the camera or you not using the camera or lightroom to its potential. A jpeg will apply the camera settings for sharpening, contast, etc. Lightroom does apply a little sharpening but its up to you to add more if needed. Same with all the other settings. Lightroom ignores most of what you set in your camera. The software that came with your camera will use your in camera settings.
Click to expand...

Which raw converter software do you refer too?
In the box there was no CD with software.
I do have jpegs for all the same photos since I was saving raw and jpegs. I don't remember which settings I had with jpegs but it was the highest or the immediate below resolution.
I cannot see any sharpness difference between the jpeg and the raw. Can this indicate some problem with the camera/lens?
I will set the jpegs to highest and take a couple of photos and then compare again between the raw and jpeg version.

Steve said:
Most of those images have at least some areas that are sharp - like a little slice of sharpness in each image. The depth of field is really shallow though - if you want to get the entire subject sharp, you may want to stop down a little.
Click to expand...

I have some photos with f9, but I really can't see much difference, https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmLQUUU_cHWcg_g1o4B-C6v60-stdQ?e=ox2wKh

I do notice that some parts seem more focused than others, and it seems the areas where show more sharpness are the areas outside of the point where the focus was read which is odd, but then again, never know if it's my eyes, my screen...

Thank you,
Fernando
 
Nando said:
Which raw converter software do you refer too?
In the box there was no CD with software.
I do have jpegs for all the same photos since I was saving raw and jpegs. I don't remember which settings I had with jpegs but it was the highest or the immediate below resolution.
I cannot see any sharpness difference between the jpeg and the raw. Can this indicate some problem with the camera/lens?
I will set the jpegs to highest and take a couple of photos and then compare again between the raw and jpeg version.



I have some photos with f9, but I really can't see much difference, https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmLQUUU_cHWcg_g1o4B-C6v60-stdQ?e=ox2wKh

I do notice that some parts seem more focused than others, and it seems the areas where show more sharpness are the areas outside of the point where the focus was read which is odd, but then again, never know if it's my eyes, my screen...

Thank you,
Fernando
Click to expand...

I am a canon shooter so hopefully you'll get input from the Nikonites. Looking at your camera support page it looks like this is the download. I was only suggesting you try it to see if you were reacting to the initial flat appearance of Lightroom. As long as the jpeg is relatively good quality you will still see if that is part of the problem. Sadly most of my problems when I get bad results have been my own user error and poor technique rather than defective gear.

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SandyW said:
I think the next step would be an actual focus test of your system. I did a quick google search and this is one option that came up. There may be better sites. Also I seem to remember reading the spot focus spot might not really be where you think it is. Was it Steve that talked about this?
https://photographylife.com/how-to-quickly-test-your-dslr-for-autofocus-issues
Click to expand...
Yup - I have talked about that in the past (in videos and books), but I think the overlay on the Z cameras is pretty accurate. However, depending on the size of the AF area, it's possible that it focused towards the front or back of the AF area.
 
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Those manual tests seems a bit difficult to understand, I did print 2 sheets from 2 different tests, photograph them but can't see any difference in focus between f4 and f8, seems the same to me.

Found the Reikan Focal software which calibrates the lens automatically plus giving a lot more info about the focus.
Not sure if it worth the investment tough.
I will do some tests with the AF fine tuning, take different shots and see the differences it will produce.

I'll probably contact Nikon support to see what they say about this.
Not really looking forward to send the camera and lens to Nikon, but then again, not having any other lens to compare with, really difficult things :(

Thank you,
Fernando
 
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